Roger Clemens denied allegations by his former trainer that he took performance-enhancing drugs.

I want to state clearly and without qualification: I did not take steroids, human growth hormone or any other banned substances at any time in my baseball career or, in fact, my entire life.

Roger Clemens, in a statement issued by his agent.

Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell said McNamee said he injected Clemens with steroids in 1998 while with the Toronto Blue Jays, and steroids and human growth hormone in 2000 and 2001, while with the New York Yankees.

Clemens said Tuesday in a statement issued through his agent, Randy Hendricks:

“Those substances represent a dangerous and destructive shortcut that no athlete should ever take… I am disappointed that my 25 years in public life have apparently not earned me the benefit of the doubt, but I understand that Senator Mitchell’s report has raised many serious questions. I plan to publicly answer all of those questions at the appropriate time in the appropriate way. I only ask that in the meantime people not rush to judgment.”

Another former trainee of McNamee was client Andy Pettitte who last week admitted to taking HGH twice while rehabbing an injury in 2002. In the Mitchell report McNamee said he injected Pettitte two to four times in that year.

Clemens’ lawyer, Rusty Hardin, issued a denial last Thursday, aoon after the Mitchell report was issued. This Tuesday was the first public comments by Clemens.

Whether Clemens can get away from these allegations, is yet to be seen. But the the fallout from these events may effect whether or not Roger Clemens, statistically one of the best pitcher baseball has ever seen, will make the Hall of Fame.

With his best pal Andy Pettitte having admitted to doing HGH, after McNamee accused him, its hard to say McNamee told the truth about Pettitte and lied about Clemens. You’d have to believe McNamee is telling the truth.

Its too late for Clemens to take back his comments now. He’s in too deep. If he had gone Pettittes route and admitted to taking them and apologized, he might well be forgiven by baseball fans, writers, and reporters as it just being a mistake in judgement. Now it all depends on whether Roger Clemens can make us all believe he truly never cheated the game.